Jesse Hogan is ‘torn’ between staying at Melbourne and returning to WA

JESSE Hogan’s management believes there is almost no chance Melbourne would trade the prized spearhead next month, even for a blockbuster deal.

There is a cloud over Jesse Hogan’s future. Picture: Colleen Petch

JESSE Hogan’s management believes there is almost no chance Melbourne would trade the prized spearhead next month, even for a blockbuster deal.

Stride Sports director Tom Petroro was adamant Hogan, 22, would line up in red and blue next season regardless of what was on offer for him from the two Western Australian clubs in next month’s exchange period.

“I don’t even think the ‘deal of the century’ would be getting Melbourne to do a deal this year,” Petroro said.

“I can’t see him playing anywhere else (in 2017).”

But there remains a cloud over Hogan’s future beyond next season as he weighs up lucrative offers to return home to WA in 2018.

Hogan is contracted to Melbourne next season and industry sources believe he could command as much as $1.5 million over seven years on his next contract.

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Petroro said he believed the powerhouse forward was “torn” between the lure of being closer to family in the west and helping drive Melbourne’s rise up the ladder.

“That’s what Jesse would be torn between — the success that Melbourne look like they’re going to have and how Melbourne have put four really good years into him and are now starting to rise, as opposed to being close to family and friends,” Petroro said.

“It’s always a big decision.”

Big Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan’s management says he is torn between helping the Demons up the ladder and returning to his home state, Western Australia. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

West Coast sensationally surged into calculations for Hogan over the weekend when Eagles’ football manager Craig Vozzo confirmed the club had been talking with Hogan’s manager, Stride Sports’ Jason Dover.

Fremantle also has long-held plans to poach Hogan.

Melbourne has refused to comment on the drama, confident its on and off field improvement will help clinch Hogan either short or long-term under new coach Simon Goodwin. However, it seems Hogan is in no rush to decide his future, meaning an intense media glare could follow him into next season.

“I think that Jesse would be arguably one of the biggest names out of contract at the end of next year,” Petroro said.

“I think that now because we want such infinite answers on players and what they’re doing, (but) let’s not forget that Jesse is contracted until the end of next year.”

The 195cm Rising Star winner told the Herald Sun last year he wanted to help Melbourne become a “juggernaut” as it continues to piece together one of the AFL’s most talented young lists.

“With the list and resources we have around us, we can develop into a team that’s a juggernaut,” Hogan said.

“If we can (do it) from where we are now, then, you can look back at this and say, ‘Look at that’. We can be one of those (success) stories that everyone wants to be.”

Originally published as Jesse Hogan is ‘torn’ between staying at Melbourne and returning to WA